Spring hinge structure

ABSTRACT

A spring controlled hinge structure for complemental parts such as a support standard for a chair or the like. The structure includes a bearing ring carried by one standard part being journaled on rollers on the other standard part and a pair of springs connecting the parts and adapted to bias the parts into coaxial alignment.

United States Patent Inventor James G. Oxford Elgin, Ill. (Rte. 1, Cave-ln-Rock, 111., 62919) App]. No. 11,736 Filed Feb. 16, 1970 Patented Apr. 13, 1971 SPRING HINGE STRUCTURE 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 287/100, 248/160, 248/383, 248/417 Int. Cl F16c 11/00 Field of Search 287/ 100,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1912 Teppert 287/100 10/1935 Simonsson 287/100 4/1952 Siebels 287/100X 7/1962 Songer 272/56 3/1969 Oxford 287/100 Primary ExaminerDavid .1. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Andrew V. Kundrat Attorney-Elmer L. Zwickel ABSTRACT: A spring controlled hinge structure for complemental parts such as a support standard for a chair or the like. The structure includes a bearing ring carried by one standard part being journaled on rollers on the other standard part and a pair of springs connecting the parts and adapted to bias the parts into coaxial alignment.

SPRING HINGE STRUCTURE The present invention pertains to improvements over the structure disclosed and claimed in my US. Pat. No. 3,432,l93,issued Mar. II, 1969.

The invention relates to improvements in a hinge structure and is particularly concerned with the novel construction and assembly of a spring controlled pivotal joint useful in the base standard of a chair assembly or the like.

More specifically, the structure of the present disclosure, illustrated in the accompanying drawings asbeing embodied in the base standard of a chair, is such as to permit controlled tilting of the chair seat structure, either in a forward or rearward direction, and to insure its return to the vertical by the presence of novelly arranged spring elements operably connected to the relatively movable parts. The structure also embodies antifriction bearing means and means to permit the chair to swivel about the base standard.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a structure of the character referred to.

Another object is to provide a spring controlled hinge structure of novel construction.

Another object is to provide a novel hinge assembly comprised of a circular bearing member and "antifriction mounting means therefor.

Another object is to provide a structure of the character referred to which is not expensive or difficult to manufacture or assemble, and one that is very efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying the structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the hinge structure showing the front face of the housing removed;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the hinge structure, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view, taken substantially on line 4-4ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, showing a modified structure.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of the invention as depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4, the novel hinge structure, generally indicated at 11, is illustrated as being embodied in a chair assembly that includes a base 12 and a seat structure 13. The hinge structure is comprised of two main components, one of which comprises a yoke 14 supported firmly on the upper end of an upstanding standard 15 integral with base 12. The yoke 14 preferably consists of a sheet metal structure fonned to provide a bottom wall 16, a pair of spaced upstanding sidewalls 17 and elongated upstanding end walls 18.

The other component of the hinge structure comprises a rigid circular, or substantially circular, member or ring 19, having secured at its upper perimeter a boss 21 in which is seated a pintle 22 depending from a plate 23 secured to the bottom of seat structure 13. The seat structure is therefore rotatably secured to the member 19. The circular member 19 is seated in the yoke 14 between its sidewalls 17 on a pair of spaced rollers 24 that bridge said sidewalls. A second set of rollers 25, also bridging said sidewalls, cooperatively engage with the inside surface of ring 19 to prevent its displacement and separation from the yoke. It should be evident that the seat structure can be tilted from its nonnal horizontal plane by reason of the free movement of ring 19 relative to its support and retaining rollers 24-25.

However, free tilting of the seat structure 13 is restrained by a pair of tension springs 26 which lie closely to the ring 19 and have their lower ends secured firmly to the free ends of the respective yoke end walls 18. The upper ends of said springs are connected to a plate 27 that is carried fin'nly on the boss 21. Thus, tilting of said seat structure in either direction is resisted by one or the other of said springs which function at all times to, return the seat structure to its normal horizontal lane. p The yoke-ring and spring assembly preferably is enclosed in a housing which preferably consists of a pair of like halves 28, suitably slotted at their upper side to accommodate the boss 21 which projects therethrough. Placement of the housing halves 28, relative to the ring 19, is assured by providing inside each half one or more spacer blocks 29 (FIG. 4) that are recessed at their opposed ends to seat firmly on the related margin of the ring. One or more bolts 31 bridging the halves and screws 32 securing the halves to the yoke, retain the halves in place.

In the FIG. 5 structure, in which like numerals are used to identify corresponding parts, the ring 19 is seated on a plurality of rollers 24 and the yoke 14a has its ends 33 extended outwardly therefrom. A strap 34 secured to the boss 21 extends a like distance above the ends 33. Springs 35 connect the respective ends of parts 33-34, as shown, so as to restrain tilting of the seat structure. Although not shown, this assembly can be enclosed in a suitable housing.

Although I have-described preferred embodiments of my invention, in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as details of the structure may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

Iclaim:

1. A hinge structure comprising, in combination, a yoke having spaced-apart upstanding sidewalls, a complemental substantially annular member seated edgewise between said sidewalls, a plurality of antifriction elements joumaled on said sidewalls within said yoke on which the outer periphery of said annular member is seated, and spring means operably connecting said annular member and the yoke in a manner to restrain relative rotational movement between the yoke and circular member. 1

2. The hinge structure recited in claim 1, in which a housing encloses the assembly.

3. The hinge structure recited in claim 2, in which the housing has spacer elements engageable with the annular member.

4. The hinge structure recited in claim 1, in which the annular member has a boss thereon to receive a bearing pintle on an associated part.

5. The hinge structure recited in claim 1, in which the antifriction elements comprise rollers bridging the sidewalls of the yoke.

6. The hinge structure recited in claim 1 in which the annular member is a ring and the yoke carries antifriction means engageable inside the annular member to prevent separation.

7. The hinge structure recited in claim 1, in which the spring means comprises diametrically opposed springs.

8. The hinge structure recited in claim 7, in which the springs are connected at one of their ends to the annular member boss and at their other ends to the yoke.

9. The hinge structure recited in claim 7, in which the yoke has end members to which the springs are connected.

10. The hinge structure recited in claim 7, in which the springs are spaced laterally from the annular member. 

1. A hinge structure comprising, in combination, a yoke having spaced-apart upstanding sidewalls, a complemental substantially annular member seated edgewise between said sidewalls, a plurality of antifriction elements journaled on said sidewalls within said yoke on which the outer periphery of said annular member is seated, and spring means operably connecting said annular member and the yoke in a manner to restrain relative rotational movement between the yoke and circular member.
 2. The hinge structure recited in claim 1, in which a housing encloses the assembly.
 3. The hinge structure recited in claim 2, in which the housing has spacer elements engageable with the annular member.
 4. The hinge structure recited in claim 1, in which the annular member has a boss thereon to receive a bearing pintle on an associated part.
 5. The hinge structure recited in claim 1, in which the antifriction elements comprise rollers bridging the sidewalls of the yoke.
 6. The hinge structure recited in claim 1 in which the annular member is a ring and the yoke carries antifriction means engageable inside the annular member to prevent separation.
 7. The hinge structure recited in claim 1, in which the spring means comprises diametrically opposed springs.
 8. The hinge structure recited in claim 7, in which the springs are connected at one of their ends to the annular member boss and at their other ends to the yoke.
 9. The hinge structure recited in claim 7, in which the yoke has end members to which the springs are connected.
 10. The hinge structure recited in claim 7, in which the springs are spaced laterally from the annular member. 